For reasons ranging from increased transparency to promoting reproducibility of preclinical research, many have called for a culture change in how journals, companies and academics view the publication of negative data. Genentech Inc. is setting a new standard with a paper showing its LRRK2 inhibitors for Parkinson's disease cause lung toxicity in nonhuman primates. The finding is a blow for the field, but The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research is using it as a springboard to bring stakeholders together for collective discussions on the clinical implications.

On the whole, companies focus their publishing efforts on describing wins rather than losses, and academics have little to gain in personal reputation or career prospects by publishing studies with negative outcomes.